JourneyOrthopaedic Institute

Direct Specialty Care · Sports Medicine

Back to what you love.Seen in days, not months.

Direct access to a double board-certified American sports surgeon and an orthopaedic manual physical therapist. One transparent price, the least-invasive path that works, and none of the insurance wait.

No referral needed. We provide an itemized superbill and can file out-of-network claims on your behalf. Reimbursement is not guaranteed.

First visit, all-in. No surprise bills.
$400
From first call to seeing your surgeon
Days
Google rating across 372 reviews
5.0
ABOS board certifications
2
Why we built JOI

The system makes you wait, then hands you a bill you cannot read.

Three-month waits to see a specialist. Seven minutes with a surgeon who does not remember your name. A pile of insurance paperwork and a surprise bill weeks later. There is a better way to get back to the life you want.

01 · Where you are

The usual system

  • Three months to be seen, then rushed through a 7-minute visit
  • Surgeon you never chose, facility you never saw
  • No price until the bills arrive, weeks later
  • Metal hardware by default, removal surgery later
  • Surgery pushed before less-invasive options are tried

02 · The alternative

The JOI way

  • Seen in days, with real time and a written plan
  • One double board-certified surgeon, start to finish
  • One transparent, all-inclusive price before you book
  • Metal-less, bio-integrative repair when it fits your case
  • Regenerative options first, surgery only when it is right

03 · Do this now

Check your coverage

Check whether your plan has out-of-network benefits. It takes a minute, and it tells you whether a claim is worth filing at all. If it is, we give you an itemized superbill and can file the claim on your behalf.

You pay the posted price at the time of service whether or not your plan reimburses you, and reimbursement is not guaranteed. Any payment goes to you, directly from your insurer. Plans with no out-of-network benefits, which includes many HMO and EPO plans, credit nothing.

What makes us different

Expert care, one clear price, one connected team.

Six things we bring together for active patients.

Dr. Smith talking with a patient in the Fort Mill clinic

Transparent Prices

One all-in price you see before you book. No surprise bills, ever. We provide an itemized superbill and can file out-of-network claims on your behalf, though reimbursement is not guaranteed.

Dr. Justin T. Smith in surgical scrubs

Surgeon-Led Access

The double board-certified surgeon you read about is the one who treats you, start to finish. Seen in days, not months.

Illustration of a bio-integrative implant supporting bone

Joint Preservation

Bone- and joint-preserving options like the KneeBar for the right joints, using bio-integrative implants that are gradually replaced by your own bone, per the manufacturer.

PRP preparation in the clinic

Regenerative First

Surgery is the last option, not the default. PRP, BMAC, Lipogems, StemWave shockwave, and the MLS orthopaedic laser, used to calm pain and support recovery before anyone talks about an operating room.

Dr. Christie Booth Smith, PT, DPT, doctor of physical therapy

Root-Cause Physical Therapy

We treat today's pain and inflammation, then go after the system behind it: guided, one-on-one rehabilitation and education that teach you how to move better and prevent the next injury.

The JOI Mobile Medical Unit

Care That Travels

A concierge mobile unit across the Charlotte corridor, and a fly-in surgical pathway for patients who travel to us from anywhere.

Start here

Where does it hurt?

Choose the area that is bothering you to see how we treat it and what it costs.

For patients from anywhere

Seen in days, not months.

On a multi-year wait list at home? Paying out of pocket anyway? A double board-certified American sports surgeon, one transparent price, and a concierge team that handles the details, whether you drive in from the Carolinas or fly in from farther away.

Featured in
Dr. Justin T. Smith on the April 2026 cover of Surgery Business Magazine
Surgery Business Magazine, April 2026 cover
Meet your surgeon

The surgeon you read about is the one who treats you.

Dr. Justin T. Smith is double board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in orthopaedic surgery and in the subspecialty of sports medicine, with a focus on shoulder reconstruction and getting active people back to what they love.

His work reaches surgeon-leaders worldwide. Dr. Smith writes for Surgery Business Magazine and was the April 2026 cover feature.

“I left the insurance treadmill so I could practice medicine the way it should be: a straight answer, real time, a clear price, and the least-invasive path that actually works.”Justin T. Smith, MD, Founder
Credentials you can verify

Double board-certified. Nationally recognized.

  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery: Orthopaedic Surgery, Board CertifiedABOS Board Certified, Orthopaedic Surgery
  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery: Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, Board CertifiedABOS Subspecialty, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
  • Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic SurgeonsFAAOS, Fellow of the AAOS
  • OSSIOfiber Center of ExcellenceOSSIOfiber® Center of Excellence
What patients say

Real patient reviews, straight from Google.

5.0from 372 Google reviews
Dr. Justin Smith is simply amazing. He's wildly competent as an orthopedic surgeon but he's all around a nice guy. He has helped me so much! If you have hip pain, he's the one! PS- his bedside manner is also incredible. He's never in a hurry and takes his time as he truly cares about his patients. Thank goodness for doctors like him!
J.C.
I've been going to Dr. Smith for over a year. He is absolutely one of the best physicians I have ever been to. He performed a reverse shoulder replacement for me and I never had a bit of pain from it. 8 months later, I have full use of my arm and am a happy camper! I would recommend Dr. Smith to everyone! He's professional, has a great bedside manner and cares for his patients!!!
A.B.
Justin T. Smith is a great Orthopedic doctor. Helpful with a friendly nature and always reliable. He listens well and is thoughtful in considering patients' needs. And... he is a very nice person. In need of an Orthopedic doc? Consider Justin T. Smith. You'll be pleased you did!
D.D.
Dr. Smith has been excellent. He took the time to thoroughly review my images, answer questions and clearly explain my injury to me. His office staff has also been outstanding- kind, professional and incredibly supportive, making this process much smoother for me. Update! Shoulder surgery is complete, currently working on physical therapy. Dr. Smith and David (his P.A.) were amazing. My shoulder is healing well, almost no pain and gaining range of motion as time goes on. I am so pleased with the care and results of working with Dr. Justin Smith.
J.S.
Very impressed with the doctor's knowledge and skill. He came highly recommended by the P/T community, and lived up to his reputation. His bedside manner is lovely as well. He was very kind and generous with his knowledge, and made a stressful situation much simpler and more relaxed. Also, apparently ACL repair can fail. The doctor's knowledge, and his technique, eliminate that concern. I am very grateful that I was put in touch with Dr. Smith.
K.P.
Where we serve

In the Charlotte corridor, and wherever you are.

441 Mercantile Place, Suite 101, Fort Mill, SC 29715

Get directions

Ready when you are

Get a straight answer, and a clear price, this week.

Talk directly with a double board-certified surgeon. No referral needed, no insurance runaround, no surprise bills.

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